Mechanic&#39;s level



Sept; 4, 1928. 1,683,509

H. M. WESCOTT MECHANIC s LEVEL Filed April 11, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Inventor gem 4 mam wmsw H. M. WESCOTT MEEJHANIG s LEVEL Fiied Ap 11.1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor g fiQrW M fl eycoz z Attormgy PatentedSept. 4, 1928.

UNITED STATES HARVEY M. WESCOTT, OF BROOKLYN, YORK.

MECHANICS LEVEL.

Application filed April 11,

This invention relates to an improved level which .is especially, butnot necessarily, adapted for use by mechanics in construction work ofall kinds.

5 V Briefly, the improvement is directed to a means which is associatedwith a spiritlevel to permit measurements of inclined surfaces.

Broadly, the improved structure embodies a base, a level hingedlyconnected thereto,

means for adjusting the level toward and from the base, and ,a measuringtape connected to and operated by the base and level respectively.

The specificdetails, as well as their parl ticular associationand-arrangement will become more readily apparent from the followingdescription and drawings.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device constructed inaccordance with the present invention showing the parts or sections 315closed.

Fig. 2 is also a the parts open.

Fig. 3 is a view in section and elevation, observing the sides of thedevice, and showingrone method of using the same.

ig. 4 is an end view showing the sections se arated.

- ig. 5 is a section taken approximately upon the plane of the line. 5-5of Fig. 1.

Referring to thedrawings in detail, it will be seen that the referencecharacter 1 designates what may be broadl referred to as a base or lowersection. pecifically, this comprises a hollow box of elongatedrectangular configuration forming a flat bottom and being open at itstop. A cover plate 2 is fastened to the open top and is provided with anelongated slot terminating at one end in a cross-head opening 4. Y Thebox is notched at one end, as mdicated at 5. Swivelly mounted as at 6 inthe lastnamed end of the box is a rotary screw shaft 7, which extendsthrough the front end of thebox, and is provided with a turning knobperspective view showing 8. Located in the interior is a retainingcollar 9. Attached to one side wall and at the forward end of the box isa circular casing 10 containing a spring wound drum (not shown), onwhich a measuring tape is wound.

This measuring tape extends upwardly through a small slot in the topplate as shown.

1927. Serial No. 182,798.

At its upper end, it is fastened to the forward end of a level 12. The.level comprises an elongated wooden slot provided with a set of threespirit levels 13'of conventional con struction. Two of the levelsarearranged on top and one on the side, so that the device may be usedfor" either horizontal or vertical surfaces in the customary manner Atthe opposite end of this level section 12 is a dependin car 14 located-in the aforesaid notch 5 and hingerlly connected to the base section 1.A nut 15 is mounted on the shaft 7, a link 16 is connected thereto, andis also connected with a' bracket 17 fastened to the under side of thebin edly-mounted level section 12. Obviously, y rotating the knob 8, theshaft 7 will be turnedto feed the nut 15 back and forth of the shaft.

This section will raise and lower the level section 12 upon its hingeconnection. In so doing, it will actuate the measuring tape 11 in anapparent manner. The tape 18 of course providedwith graduations of asuitable character,'so.;that the space between the two sections of thedevice may be accurately ascertained. 1

Fromthe foregoing description and drawings it will be plain that I haveevolved'and produced a simple and inexpensive device which may beemployed in construction work for the approximate degree of inclinationof on the screw threads any surface with respect to av horizontal line.

To persons skilled in the art, it is evident that the shaft 7 must beoperated to raise or move the level to a substantially horizontalposition, which position is indicated by the spirit levels carriedthereon. Obviously when this part 12 is in a horizontal position, andthe fiat bottom of the base section is placed against the inclinedsurface, the graduations on the measuring tape will enable the operatorto determine the degree of inclination of the surface with respect to ahorizontal measuring line.

The construction, as well as the method and use of the invention will beclear, it is believed, when the description is considered carefully inconnection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description isthought unnecessary.

While the referred embodiment of the invention has een specificallyshown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes comingwithin the field of invention claimed, may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is In a level ofthe class described, a box-like base section, a longitudinally disposedscrew threaded shaft mounted for rotation in said base section, arelatively movable cover section cooperable with the base section,spiritlevels on said cover section, a hinge connection between one endof the movable cover section and said base section, a casing located inand carried by said base section, a drum in said casing, a measuringtape wound. upon said drum, the free end of said tape being connectedwith the swingable end of said movable section, a nut movable along thescrew threads on said shaft, a bracket carried by the movable-section,and an operating link pivotally connected to said nut and to saidbracket, whereby when said shaft is rotated, said movable cover sectionwill be moved toward and from the base section in order to actuate themeasuring tape.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HARVEY M. WESCOTT.

